India’s New Parliament building and Why it’s Needed

 

Image Source: The Hindu

In the 75^th year of Independence, India proudly unveiled a new Parliament building constructed by its own people, and embodying the culture, pride and spirit of the entire nation.

The vast, triangular shaped complex in the heart of Delhi will house the upper and lower parliamentary house. It sits adjacent to the old circular parliament building that was constructed in 1927 by British architects Edwin Lutyens and Herbert Barker, two decades before India’s Independence (during the colonial era), which will now be converted into a museum. 

The building was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 28 may 2023, who, dressed in traditional attire, took part in several prayer rituals in a ceremony that was heavy on religious Hindu Symbolism, drawing criticism that it was in line with the secular democracy that the building is meant to enshrine.

“Here is key moment from the grand inauguration of our new Parliament building. A milestone in our nations journey, it radiates the hopes and aspirations of 140 crore Indians” Modi says on their tweeter handle. 

The overall development, known as the Central Vista Redevelopment project, which is launched by the Indian government in 2019 included the construction of a new parliament building along with other projects in New Delhi including revamping Kartavya Path, construction of a new residence for the vice president, a new office and residence for the vice president, a new office and residence for the prime minister and combining all ministerial buildings in a single central secretariat.

The groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of New Parliament building was held in October 2020, and the foundation stone was laid by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on 10 December 2020. The building has been completed in about two and a half years at an estimated cost of nearly (Rs 1200 crore). It was accused of a lack of transparency after it was awarded to architect Bimal Patel, who is from Modi’s home state of Gujrat and has been granted some of the most high-profile government projects in recent years.
According to the architect, materials and designs had been brought in from all over India to reflect the country’s cultural diversity and different architectural styles, including marble from Rajasthan and teak from Maharashtra.

A sacred Sengol, a gold sceptre from the southern state of Tamil Nadu that is said to have been received by India’s first prime minister, Jawaharlal Nehra, on Independence in 1947, was also placed by Modi in the new parliament chamber.
 

12.1 Salient features of the New Parliament:

1) Located on Rafi Marg, New Delhi, the new building is surrounding by the Old Parliament House, India Gate, Vijay Chowk, Vice President’s House, national War Memorial, Prime Minister’s Office & residence, Secretariat Building, Hyderabad House, ministerial building and other administrative units of the Indian government.
2) It has build-up area about 64,500 sq m., with its triangular shape ensuring the optimum utilization of space.
3) The new building will house a larger Lok Sabha Hall with a capacity of up to 888 seats, and a larger Rajya Sabha Hall with a capacity of up to 384 seats. The Lok Sabha may accommodate up to 1,272 seats for joint sessions of parliament.
4) The Lok Sabha Hall is based on the Peacock theme, India’s national bird.
5) The Rajya Sabha Hall is based on the Lotus theme, India's national flower.
6) At the new Parliament’s inauguration ceremony, Modi installed the Chola Sengol near the chair of the Speaker of the Lok Sabha.
7) A state-of-the-art Constitutional Hall in the building “symbolically and physically puts the Indian citizens at the heart of our democracy”.
8) The building will have ultra-modern office spaces that will secure, efficient and equipped with the latest communications technology.
9) A “Platinum-rated Green Building”, the new Sansad Bhavan will embody India's commitment towards environmental sustainability.
10) A central Lounge that will complement the open courtyard will be a place for member to interact with each other. The courtyard will have a banyan, the national tree.
 
 
 
 
12.2 Need of New Parliament:

1) Insufficient seating space for MPs: The number of Lok Sabha seats is likely to increase significantly from the current 545 after 2026, when the freeze on the total number of seats lifts. “The seating arrangements are cramped and cumbersome, with no desks beyond the second row. The Central Hall has seating capacity only for 440 persons. When the Joint Sessions are held, the problem of limited seats amplifies. Due to limited space for movement, it is also a huge security risk,” says the official site (Central Vesta).
2) Outdated communication systems: The existing Parliament had outdated communication infrastructure and technology, while the acoustics in all the halls needed improvement.
3) Safety concerns: The current Parliament building was constructed when Delhi was in Seismic Zone II, but it is now Seismic Zone IV, raising concerns about its structural safety says the official website (Central Vesta).
4) Distressed infrastructure: The addition of services like water supply and sewer lines, air-conditioning, firefighting equipment, CCTV cameras, etc., have led to seepage of water at several places and impacted the aesthetics of the building. Fire safety is a major concern at the building, the official website (Central Vesta) says.
5) Inadequate workspace for employees: Over the year, due to an increase in workman force, these workspaces were further reduced by creating sub partitions to accommodate more workers.
 
 
12.3 Conclusion:

The new parliament building is not just a physical structure, but a symbol of India's Democratic spirit and aspiration. It represents India's rich heritage, culture and diversity, as well as its commitment to upholding the values of the constitution. The new building will also serve as a reminder of India's glorious past, present and future as a vibrant democracy.

— Team Yuva Aaveg

(Praveen Kumar Maurya)

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